Matt Owens, a co-showrunner of Netflix’s “One Piece,” is stepping down from the live-action series adaptation to focus on his mental health.
“The last six years working on the live-action One Piece have been a life-changing journey. A dream come true. It’s also been A LOT. So I’m stepping off the Going Merry to take a break and focus on myself and my mental health,” Owens wrote on Instagram. “For now I’m gonna take a breath, do some therapy, try and rank up in Marvel Rivals, and come back refreshed for the new adventures that await.”
His departure comes after filming on Season 2 wrapped last month.
Based on Eiichiro Oda’s beloved manga, “One Piece” stars Iñaki Godoy as Monkey D. Luffy, Mackenyu as Zoro, Emily Rudd as Nami, Jacob Romero as Usopp and Taz Skylar as Sanji. Additionally, Ilia Isorelys Paulino (Alvida), Jeff Ward (Buggy) and Michael Dorman (Gold Roger) are set to return in Season 2.
New cast members include Joe Manganiello as Mr. 0, one of the biggest antagonists in the “One Piece” franchise, as well as Callum Kerr (“Monarch”) as Smoker, another antagonist who was teased at the end of Season 1. Miss All Sunday, who eventually becomes part of the Straw Hat Pirate crew, has also been cast as Lera Abova.
Additionally, Season 2 will star Charithra Chandran as Miss Wednesday; Katey Sagal as Dr. Kureha; Mark Harelik as Dr. Hiriluk; Sendhil Ramamurthy as Nefertari Cobra; Brendan Sean Murray as Brogy; Camrus Johnson as Mr. 5; Clive Russell as Crocus; Daniel Lasker as Mr. 9; David Dastmalchian as Mr. 3; Jazzara Jaslyn as Miss Valentine; Julia Rehwald as Tashigi; Rob Colletti as Wapol; Ty Keogh as Dalton; and Werner Coetser as Dorry.
Owens served as an executive producer and showrunner on Season 1 alongside Steven Maeda and Season 2 alongside Joe Tracz. In addition to Owens, Maeda Tracz and Oda, other EPs on Season 2 include Marty Adelstein and Becky Clements through Tomorrow Studios, Tetsu Fujimura and Chris Symes. The series is a partnership with Shueisha.
